Microsoft ditches Messenger

Microsoft has announced it's closing down its Windows Live Instant Messenger in favour of Skype

This week, Windows users will bid a fond farewell to one of the most used applications in Microsoft's OS armoury: Windows Live Messenger. Originally known as MSN Messenger, this instant-messenging service was something of a progenitor in online communications tools. It began life as a simple messenger-chat application and was later augmented to allow users to communicate using voice and video.

Now, however, it seems its lifespan seems to have run its course, as Microsoft have announced plans to retire it in favour of Skype. Microsoft acquired Skype in a deal last year reported to be worth in the region of £5.3 billion and has since bundled the communication app into its new Windows 8 operating system.

According to Microsoft, the transition between chat applications should be fairly painless. Users will be able to use their Windows ID as a login for Skype - in much the same way they can use it to access their Outlook mailing accounts.

So farwell then, Windows Live Messenger. Wasting time at work just won't be the same without you...